It’s impossible to hit every booth—well, competently anyway—at a wine show. Such was the case for me with the Drink Chile 2021 event last month at Arcadian Loft in Toronto. But if you’re lucky, an agency will hook you up afterward to show you what you missed. Wine importer Trayvino Wine Company was among those kind enough to send a few samples my way.

Although the timing of the agency’s launch seemed ill-fated—October 2019, just before the pandemic came long and devastated their primary markets of restaurants, weddings and events—Trayvino soldiered on, even claiming New Business of the Year at the recent Newmarket Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Business Excellence Awards.

Owner Tracy Noseworthy’s passion for service excellence has no doubt propelled the firm through the rough waters. A South African native, Noseworthy has spent the past 29 years in Canada, the biggest chunk of it with wine giant E. & J. Gallo, building sales teams, developing wine programs and helping launch major wine brands. I don’t think I’ve ever had an agency member, much less the owner, more regularly follow up on a single shipment to make sure all went well than Noseworthy did on this first exchange.

All three of the wines sent my way were from Espíritu de Chile (Spirit of Chile), a brand owned by Aresti Wine fo Chile. The Espíritu marketing is geared to the inherent beauty and adventurous activities of its native country, bordered by the parched Atacama Desert in the north, the Patagonia region’s tumultuous confluence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the south, the Andes mountain range to the east and the Coastal mountains and Pacific Ocean to the west. Want to check out a little of what Chilean tourism has to offer? Simply scan the barcodes on the back labels to get directed to 30- and 60-second travel videos and 360-degree views of picturesque locations.

I didn’t get to sample their Intrépído Merlot, which I’ve heard great things about, but here’s a glance at three wines I did review.

Espíritu de Chile Explorador Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 — Maipo Valley, Chile ($25) (Minimum case of 12 order)
On the lower end of full-bodied, there’s a slightly sweet tinge to this jammy Cab Sauv. The tannins are medium at most. Dark red and black fruit is accompanied by chocolate, vanilla and oak and damp earth notes—all topped with a light dusting of herbs. Not the green pepper or eucalyptus character of most Chilean cabs and the finish is a bit short, but this should be a crowd-pleaser. 87

Espíritu de Chile Intrépído Carménère 2019 — Maipo Valley, Chile ($17.95) (Private order only)
Raw and a little untamed, there’s some mint hovering atop smoky leather and dark red currants. Medium+ in body, with medium tannins. It’s a little bitter and green, but to me that just adds to the unmanipulated authenticity of this Carménère. A bit wild, and this is not a grape that’s on everyone’s list, but it is on mine. 87

Espíritu de Chile Viajera Sauvignon Blanc  2021 — Maipo Valley, Chile ($10.50) (Licensee only)
A licensee-only Sauv Blanc, so this is possibly one to watch for at restaurants. Look for distinctive green apple and fresh-cut grass on the nose and in the glass. Not a long finish, but light, ripe and juicy with a beaming acidity. Let it warm up for five minutes to let the fruit out. Hard to beat for the price! 86